Vehicular floor mat system

ABSTRACT

A floor mat for a vehicle includes an adapter plate for engaging the vehicle&#39;s mat retaining system, a mat portion, and a fastener for securing the mat portion to the adapter plate. The configuration of the adapter plate allows the mat portion to be transversely, longitudinally, and rotationally aligned and secured to the vehicle&#39;s floor despite variations in the arrangements of different vehicles&#39; mat retaining systems. The mat portion may include a plurality of peripheral guidelines to assist the end-user to trim the mat to fit any intended one of a plurality of automobile models.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of and claims the benefit toU.S. non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/078,036 filed on 12 Nov.2013, and Ser. No. 14/184,032 filed on 19 Feb. 2014, the entireteachings of both being incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to vehicular floor mats. Morespecifically, the present invention is related to a vehicle floor matsystem engageable to and customizable with the multitude of mat-securingfeatures which vary from vehicle to vehicle. Alternatively, the presentinvention is related to an adapting system for engaging and customizingan aftermarket automotive floor mat to the multitude of mat-securingfeatures and floor shapes which vary from automobile to automobile.

BACKGROUND

Automotive floor mats and floor mats for other vehicles are commonlyused to contain spills and shoe-borne debris and to protect theunderlying carpet. Vehicle manufactures typically provide such floormats with or as an optional accessory for these purposes. To preventslippage of such mats about the floor, auto manufacturers often providesecuring means that hold the mat in its intended position. Because suchslippage could allow the mat to interfere with operation of theaccelerator and brake pedals, such securing means are now required for amat at the driver's feet.

Each automaker has its own means for securing its mats within its cars,which has heretofore retarded the ability for aftermarket matmanufacturers to offer mats which universally fit to multiple or allcars. To date, retailers have been forced to carry a first selection ofmats which are useful in one make of automobile, a second selectionuseful in a second make, a third selection useful in a third make, etc.Obviously, the retailers have limited shelf space for offering such awide number of mat selections, so the number of automobile makes forwhich they offer mats must be limited, the number of selections (colors,styles, etc) for each make must be compromised, and/or the number ofpieces kept in inventory must be reduced.

Each automobile model has a differently shaped floor to which the floormat is expected to fit and conform. There exist in the prior art severalvehicular floor mats which provide for trimming by the end-user to bestfit the mat within the floor of the intended vehicle. Among those, U.S.Pat. No. 6,794,013 teaches a mat having “relatively thin” flaps which“can be trimmed down with scissors if desired, to achieve the best fitof the floor mat for a particular floor area”, and the WeatherTech“Trim-to-Fit All Vehicle Cargo Mat”(www.amazon.com/WeatherTech-Trim-Vehicle-Cargo-Black/dp/1300031DE4U8)includes cutting guide lines to assist the end-user in trimming the matto best fit to the intended vehicle. None of such prior art mats enableor suggest the ability to securely engage the mat with the specificengagement means of the intended vehicle, or provide for secureengagement with the multitude of mat-securing features which vary inposition and configuration from automobile to automobile.

There exists a need for reducing the number of mats that a retailer muststock to serve the multitude of automobile makes and models and thesimilar multitude of securing arrangements, and such is an object of thepresent invention. There exists a need for reducing the number of matsthat an aftermarket manufacturer must offer to serve the multitude ofautomobile makes and models, and such is an object of the presentinvention. There exists a need to adapt and customize aftermarket matsto the multitude of automakers' mat securing arrangements and floorshapes, and such is an object of the present invention. Further needsand objects exist which are addressed by the present invention, as maybecome apparent by the included disclosure of an exemplary embodimentthereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention may be practiced in a floor mat for a vehicle floor of thetype having a floor mat retainer defining a fixed first vertical axis,the floor mat including an adapter portion, a mat portion, and a matfastener. The adapter portion may include a planar panel disposedbetween the mat portion and the vehicle floor and having a primaryreceiver for engaging the adapter portion to the floor mat retainer, anda multitude of secondary receivers adapted to be selectably engaged bythe mat fastener. The mat portion may include a locator disposed inboardon the mat portion and engagable to a selected one of the adapter'ssecondary receivers by the mat fastener to define a selectable secondvertical axis parallel to the fixed first vertical axis. The adapter maybe pivotable along a substantially horizontal plane about the fixedfirst vertical axis such that the selectable second vertical axis ispivotable about the fixed first pivot axis. The mat portion may bepivotable along a substantially horizontal plane about the selectablesecond vertical axis, and the mat portion may include a plurality ofperipheral outlines for guiding trimming of the mat portion into a matshape, one of the peripheral outlines intended to cause the mat shape tocorrespond with a floor shape of the vehicle floor, whereby trimming ofthe mat portion along the one of the peripheral outlines causes the matshape to correspond with the floor shape. Variation in the selection ofthe adapter's secondary receiver to which is engaged the mat portion andpivoting of the adaptor about the fixed first vertical axis may enablevariation of a transverse and longitudinal disposition of the matportion relative to the vehicle floor, and rotation of the mat portionabout the selectable second vertical axis may enable variation of arotational disposition of the mat portion relative to the vehicle floor.

The adapter may further include cleats extending downwardly there-fromto engage the vehicle's floor and prevent inadvertent movement of theadapter relative thereto. The primary receiver may be a passive vehiclefloor mat retainer receiver. The adapter may further include a secondprimary receiver adapted to engage the adapter to an active vehiclefloor mat retainer. Or the primary receiver may be an active vehiclefloor mat retainer receiver.

The locator may be a hole through the mat portion. The fastener mayinclude separate first and second portions, the first portion having ashank passable through the hole and a head incapable of passing throughthe hole, and the second portion may be a grommet rigidly engageable tothe selected secondary receiver and adapted to capture the shank portionto engage the mat portion to the adapter. Or the locator may include thefastener.

The invention may alternatively be practiced in a floor mat for use on avehicle floor and for use with an adapter engaged to a mat retainer ofthe vehicle floor such that the adapter is pivotable about a fixed firstvertical axis defined by the mat retainer, and the adapter may be of thetype having a multitude of receivers to enable engagement of the mat tothe adapter in a multitude of dispositions. The floor mat may include alocator disposed inboard on the mat for alignment with a selected one ofthe receivers to allow variation of a transverse and longitudinaldisposition of the mat relative to the adapter, the locator defining asecond vertical axis parallel to the fixed first vertical axis. Thefloor mat may also include a plurality of peripheral outlines forguiding trimming of the mat into a mat shape, one of the peripheraloutlines intended to cause the mat shape to correspond with a floorshape of the vehicle floor, wherein trimming of the mat portion alongthe one of the peripheral outlines causes the mat shape to correspondwith the floor shape. Rotation of the mat about the second vertical axismay cause variation of a rotational disposition of the mat relative tothe adapter.

The mat may further include a fastener to secure the mat to the adapter.The fastener may secure the mat to the adapter at the locator. Thelocator may include the fastener.

The invention may alternatively be practiced in a floor mat system foruse on a vehicle floor and adaptable for engagement to one or more of amultitude of vehicle mat retainers of various types and positions,wherein the system includes an adapter overlying the vehicle floor andaffixable to one of the one or more of a multitude of vehicle matretainers, and a mat overlying and affixable to the adapter. The one ofthe one or more of a multitude of vehicle mat retainers may define afixed first vertical axis, and the adapter may include a planar panelhaving means for engaging the adapter to the one of the one or more of amultitude of vehicle mat retainers such that the adapter is pivotablealong a substantially horizontal plane about the fixed first verticalaxis. A multitude of receivers each may be adapted to allow engagementof the mat thereto. The mat may include a locator disposed inboard onthe mat and engagable to and alignable with a selected one of theadapter's receivers to enable variation of a transverse and longitudinaldisposition of the mat relative to the vehicle's floor. The locator maydefine a second vertical axis parallel to the fixed first vertical axis,whereby rotation of the mat along a substantially horizontal plane aboutthe second vertical axis enables variation of a rotational dispositionof the mat portion relative to the vehicle's floor. And the mat mayinclude a plurality of peripheral outlines for guiding trimming of themat into a mat shape, one of the peripheral outlines intended to causethe mat shape to correspond with a floor shape of the vehicle floor,whereby trimming of the mat portion along the one of the peripheraloutlines causes the mat shape to correspond with the floor shape.

The adapter may further include cleats extending downwardly there-fromto engage the vehicle's floor and prevent inadvertent movement of theadapter relative thereto. The means for engaging the adapter to the oneof the one or more of a multitude of vehicle mat retainers may be areceiver for a passive vehicle floor mat retainer. The adapter mayfurther include a receiver for an active vehicle floor mat retainer. Orthe means for engaging the adapter to the one of the one or more of amultitude of vehicle mat retainers may be a receiver for an activevehicle floor mat retainer. The locator may be a hole through the mat.

The floor mat may further include a fastener having separate first andsecond portions, the first portion having a shank passable through thehole and a head incapable of passing through the hole, and the secondportion is a grommet rigidly engageable to the selected one of theadapter's receivers wherein the grommet may capture the shank portion toengage the mat to the adapter. The locator may be a fastener forsecuring the mat to the adapter.

Further features and aspects of the invention are disclosed with morespecificity in the Detailed Description and Drawings of an exemplaryembodiment provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference tothe following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIGS. 1 through 4 are a progressive series of perspective views of thedriver's side floor of a first typical automobile including a pair ofmat securing posts to show the installation of a mat system according toan exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial close-up exploded view of the system of FIG. 4 and apassive retainer;

FIG. 6 is a close up perspective view of the system of FIG. 4 and thepassive retainer;

FIG. 7 is a partial close-up exploded view of the system of FIG. 4 andan active retainer;

FIG. 8 is a partial top view through the system of FIG. 4 and an activeretainer;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-section through the system of FIG. 4 and theactive retainer taken at line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial top view through the system of FIG. 4 and thepassive retainer;

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-section through the system of FIG. 4 and thepassive retainer taken at line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a partial exploded view of the grommet and adapter plate ofthe system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a partial exploded view of the system of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are overlays showing the multitude of varying mat shapesand retainer arrangements for prior art cars (FIG. 14) and trucks (FIG.15);

FIG. 16 is a top view of the adapter of the system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the adapter of the system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 18 is a multi-view dimension drawing of the fastening pin of thesystem of FIG. 4;

FIG. 19 is a multi-view dimension drawing of the grommet of the systemof FIG. 4;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a trim-to-fit mat for use with the system ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 21A is a plan view of the trim-to-fit mat of FIG. 20 for use in asecond typical automobile, with the to-be-trimmed area showncross-hatched;

FIG. 21B is a perspective view of the mat of FIG. 21A after trimming;

FIG. 21C is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 4 using the mat ofFIG. 21B in the second typical automobile;

FIG. 22A is a plan view of the trim-to-fit mat of FIG. 20 for use in athird typical automobile, with the to-be-trimmed area showncross-hatched;

FIG. 22B is a perspective view of the mat of FIG. 22A after trimming;and

FIG. 22C is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 4 using the mat ofFIG. 22B in the third typical automobile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is first made to FIGS. 13 and 14, which are diagrams showingoverlaid outlines of the prior art original equipment manufacture's(OEM) drivers side front floor mats for the US's top ten selling cars(FIG. 14) and trucks/SUVs (FIG. 15). Each mat outline includes thereceiving holes that mat employs to engage the mat retainers provided inthe vehicle for which that mat is intended. Represented in diagram 200of FIG. 14 are the mats for car models Honda Accord, Nissan Altima,Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, Chevy Malibu,Chevy Impala, Ford Fusion, and Ford Focus. Represented in diagram 300 ofFIG. 15 are the mats fir truck/SUV models Ford F-Series, Dodge Ram,Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra, Ford Escape, Honda CRV, Ford Edge, ToyotaRav-4, Chevy Equinox, and Chrysler Town & Country. The variously sizedand positioned retainer receiving holes for each mat are shown.

The purpose for the FIGS. 13 and 14 diagrams is to demonstrate the widerange of retainer receiving hole patterns, and the corresponding widerange of retainer arrangements, that must be considered by aftermarketmat manufacturers. The purpose for the FIGS. 13 and 14 diagrams is alsoto demonstrate the wide range of mat shapes that must be considered byaftermarket mat manufacturers. The diagrams also demonstrate the task athand for retailers wishing to sell replacement mats for a multitude ofcar and truck models . . . even when only considering the top tenselling models and ignoring the rest. It can be appreciated that merelyproviding dozens of holes in an aftermarket mat and calling it“universal” would be impractical, as such a hole-filled mat would beunable to retain spilled fluids and shoe-borne debris, would beaesthetically unappealing, and it would be near impossible to figure outwhich holes suit any given vehicle without numerous attempts.

Next, referring momentarily to FIGS. 5 through 11, close-up views showtwo of the many typical prior art OEM mat retainers that such vehiclesnow employ to retain their dedicated mats. Today's cars will typicallyinclude either an “active” or a “passive” retainer system. While thedimensions and details of each auto manufacturer's active and passiveretainers differ, the distinction lies in the need for the user to acton the active retainer to cause engagement, while the passive retainerwill engage automatically as the mat is placed over it. In FIGS. 5, 6,10, and 11 an example of a “passive” retainer 404P is shown, and inFIGS. 7, 8, and 9 an example of an “active” retainer 404A is shown.Retainers 404A and 404P are by no means intended to represent allexisting prior art retainers and are simply provided as examples.Alternatively shaped retainer receivers may be provided in the adapterplate to accommodate other active and passive retainers should it bedesired to use the mat system with additional vehicles that thedisclosed receivers will not properly engage.

Typically, a “passive retainer” will be a simple upright post, a headedpost, a hook, or some similar device affixed to and projecting upwardlyfrom the automobile's floor. It enables the user to simply slip theretaining hole of the mat over it to engage it, and the mat is thusprevented from sliding about the car's floor. Typically, an “activeretainer” will be a device affixed to the automobile's floor thatincludes some moveable component which, after the mat's retaining holehas been slipped over it, is twisted, slid, or otherwise moved to engageand lock the mat to the floor, and the mat is thus prevented fromsliding about the car's floor or from being lifted from the floorwithout further action on the retainer by the user. As used in thisdocument, the terms “active retainer” and “passive retainer” are sointended, and such should be considered the definitions of these termsas used herein.

Referring next to FIGS. 1 through 4, installation of an exemplary matsystem 100, according to the invention, into a typical automobile 400 isshown. The system includes a contoured mat portion 102, an adapter plate104, a headed fastener pin 106, and a grommet 108. The automobile'scarpeted floor 402 includes a pair of mat retainers 404 which arepermanently installed in the automobile at manufacture to mate with andretain a particular mat made by the auto manufacturer and dedicated tothis automobile model. The retainers may be either active or passiveretainers in this example.

Adapter plate 104 is preferably made of Polypropylene or ABS plastic,but could be made of metal or any suitable alternative material. Itincludes first and second retainer receivers 112A and 112P, called“primary receivers” for engaging one of the automobile's retainers, andan array of twenty-three “secondary receivers” in the form of holes 116for use in engaging the mat portion to the adapter plate. The adapterplate is swung horizontally and positioned over the floor so that theappropriate primary receiver is directly over the retainer and thesecondary receivers are generally over the center to the portion of thefloor where the mat portion is to be placed. This ensures that at leastone of the secondary receivers will be within a few centimeters of theideal location for proper positioning of the mat portion. The adapterplate is then dropped down and its primary receiver is slipped over theretainer. The adapter plate includes cleats 114 which can either be“wiggled” down into the fibers of the floor's carpet, ort will be pusheddown into the fibers over time, to prevent inadvertent later rotation ofthe adapter plate relative to the retainer. The adapter plate is securedin place as one would normally secure an OEM mat . . . if the retaineris passive, this portion of the installation is complete, but if theretainer is active, the retainer is moved to engage and lock the adapterplate in place.

Next, after selecting which secondary receiver 116 is closest to thecenter of the floor by observation, grommet 108 is pushed and snappedinto that receiver, as shown in close-up in FIG. 12. Referring to FIG.19, one can see that the grommet, preferably made of ABS or POM plastic,includes a shank portion 140 and a head portion 142, the shank portionbeing cross-slotted to allow it to be temporarily compressed as it isinserted into the adapter plate's receiver and to then expand to securethe grommet to the receiver. The grommet has a hole 122 passinglongitudinally through its center.

The mat portion is next laid over the adapter plate and grommet suchthat its locator hole 126 is directly over hole 122 of the grommet, andthe mat portion is rotationally aligned with the floor. Because thecentermost secondary receiver 116 was chosen on the adapter plate intowhich to place the grommet, the mat portion should be properlylongitudinally and transversely aligned once it is rotationally aligned.If, however, it is found that the mat portion is not properly alignedtransversely or longitudinally, the grommet may be easily popped out ofthe chosen receiver and snapped into another.

The mat portion is preferably injection molded of thermoplastic rubberand may include carpeted sections, support and perimeter ribbing, andspill-containing reservoirs. The flexibility of the mat allows it to beshipped and sold in a flat condition, yet adapt to the contours of thevehicle's floor.

With the mat portion properly aligned, shank portion 118 of fastener pin106 is next passed though locator hole 126 and into grommet hole 122, asbest seen in FIG. 13, to secure the mat portion to the adapter plate.Referring to FIGS. 13 and 18, it can be seen that the preferablypolypropylene or ABS fastener pin's shank portion 118 is continuouslybarbed. This allows that that it can engage an unshown internal ribwithin grommet hole 122 regardless of the depth that the fastener pin isinserted into the grommet. This adjustability allows for snug securementof the mat portion to the grommet despite variations in the matportion's thickness. The fastener pin is pushed in until its head 120sits firmly down on the locator hole and the internal rib of the grommetengages the mating barb of the fastener pin's shank. The fastener pinmay be removed to remove the mat portion from the adapter plate, such asfor realigning it, by firmly pulling on the fastener pin's head.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 10 and 11, it can be seen that receiver 112P isa tapered keyhole, stepped and contoured to enable it to engage a widerange of passive retainer shapes and sizes, including exemplary passiveheaded retainer 404P. Referring to the dimension drawings of FIG. 16 itcan be seen that the larger end of this opening is wide enough toreceive a passive headed retainer having a head diameter over one halfinch. The larger end of the keyhole is simply passed over the retainer'shead 406P and the adaptor plate is then pushed forwardly until thetapering of the keyhole grasps the retainer's shank 408P, then theadapter plate is pressed down so that its cleats 114 engage the carpet.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, it can be seen that exemplary activeretainer receiver 112A is a slot adapted to receive the rotatable head406A of exemplary active retainer 404A. Referring to the dimensiondrawings of FIG. 16 it can be seen that the slot is capable of receivingan active retainer having a rotatable rectangular head up toapproximately three-quarters inch by seven-sixteenths inch. The slot ispassed over the rotatable head 406A and the head is rotated a quarter ofa turn to entrap the adapter plate.

FIG. 16 is a scalable top view dimension drawing of adapter plate 104,FIG. 18 is a scalable multi-view dimension drawing 150 of fastener pin106, and FIG. 19 is a scalable multi-view dimension drawing 152 ofgrommet 108. The dimensions provided therein form part of thisdisclosure.

As should be appreciated, system 100 is adaptable for use in a multitudeof various vehicles, including but not limited to all of those of thediagrams of FIGS. 14 and 15. Because the adaptor plate may berotationally positioned relative to the vehicles retainer and becausethe adaptor plate includes such a large an array of secondary receivers,the grommet, and therefore the center of the mat portion, may be locatedover a large range relative to the retainer and the vehicle's floor.Additionally, the fastener pin/grommet connection allows wideflexibility in the rotational alignment of the mat portion relative tothe vehicle's floor.

It should be noted that reference to mat portion 102 as the “mat”,adapter plate 104 as the “adapter”, and the totality of the mat, adapterplate, pin and grommet as the “mat system”, is not intended to preventone from alternatively considering the totality as a “mat”, with matportion 102 serving as a mat portion thereof.

Referring next to FIG. 20, there is shown a mat 602 for use in theafore-described system which includes a plurality of peripheral outlines604, which serve as trimming guidlines. Each guideline defines aperipheral shape to which the mat may be selectively trimmed tocorrespond to a particular model of automobile. FIGS. 21A-21C depict thetrimming of the mat 602 for use in automobile model 400A, and FIGS.22A-22C depict the trimming of the mat 602 for use in automobile model400B.

In FIG. 21A, mat 602 can be seen to include two portions, useableportion 602A which is shaped to fit automobile model 400A, and wasteportion 602AX. Referring FIG. 21B, usable portion 602A is shownpost-trimming. In FIG. 21C, usable portion 602A is shown affixed toadapter 104 by fastener 106 and positioned and aligned for properplacement onto the floor of vehicle 400A, as previously described.

The mat may be sold with instructions teaching the end user how toproperly trim the mat to fit to his automobile. For instance, eachoutline may be colored differently and the instruction may include alist of automobile models with the color of the outline that theend-user should follow to trim the mat for that model. Or the user maybe instructed to lay his old worn-out OEM mat over the replacement matto identify the outline that should be followed. Or text may be engravedin the mold that makes the mat so that each outline has a list ofcorresponding automobile models along side.

After properly trimming his mat 602A to the appropriate shape, the userinstalls the mat into the automobile as in FIGS. 3 and 4, using theadapter 104 and fastener 106 to properly secure the mat to theautomobile's mat retainer 404. The ability to pivot the adapter 104along a substantially horizontal plane about a fixed vertical axisdefined by the mat retainer 404, and to pivot the mat 602A along asubstantially horizontal plane about a fixed pivot axis defined by thefastener 106 enables variation of a rotational disposition of thetrimmed mat relative to the vehicle floor, to perfectly align and fitthe mat to the floor in the intended position and to secure the mat tothe floor in the intended manner.

In FIG. 22A, the same mat 602 can be seen to include two differentportions, useable portion 602B which is shaped to fit automobile model400B, and waste portion 602BX. Referring FIG. 22B, usable portion 602Bis shown post-trimming. In FIG. 22C, usable portion 602B is shownaffixed to adaptor 104 by fastener 106 and positioned and aligned forproper placement onto the floor of different vehicle 400B, as previouslydescribed.

It should be understood that while the invention has been shown anddescribed with reference to the specific exemplary embodiment shown,various changes in form and detail may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention, and that the invention shouldtherefore only be limited according to the following claims, includingall equivalent interpretation to which they are entitled. It should alsobe understood that while the exemplary embodiment discloses automotiveuse, the invention may be useful in any type of vehicle, such as but notlimited to trains, trucks, buses, boats, ships, and planes.

We claim:
 1. A floor mat for a vehicle floor of the type having a floormat retainer defining a fixed first vertical axis, the floor matcomprising an adapter portion, a mat portion, and a mat fastener;wherein the adapter portion comprises a planar panel disposed betweenthe mat portion and the vehicle floor and having a primary receiver forengaging the adapter portion to the floor mat retainer, and a multitudeof secondary receivers adapted to be selectably engaged by the matfastener; the mat portion comprises a locator disposed inboard on themat portion and engagable to a selected one of the adapter's secondaryreceivers by the mat fastener to define a selectable second verticalaxis parallel to the fixed first vertical axis; the adapter is pivotablealong a substantially horizontal plane about the fixed first verticalaxis such that the selectable second vertical axis is pivotable aboutthe fixed first pivot axis; the mat portion is pivotable along asubstantially horizontal plane about the selectable second verticalaxis; and the mat portion comprises a plurality of peripheral outlinesfor guiding trimming of the mat portion into a mat shape, one of theperipheral outlines intended to cause the mat shape to correspond with afloor shape of the vehicle floor; whereby trimming of the mat portionalong the one of the peripheral outlines causes the mat shape tocorrespond with the floor shape; variation in the selection of theadapter's secondary receiver to which is engaged the mat portion andpivoting of the adaptor about the fixed first vertical axis enablesvariation of a transverse and longitudinal disposition of the matportion relative to the vehicle floor; and rotation of the mat portionabout the selectable second vertical axis enables variation of arotational disposition of the mat portion relative to the vehicle floor.2. The floor mat of claim 1 wherein the adapter further comprises cleatsextending downwardly there-from to engage the vehicle's floor andprevent inadvertent movement of the adapter relative thereto.
 3. Thefloor mat of claim 1 wherein the primary receiver is a passive vehiclefloor mat retainer receiver.
 4. The floor mat of claim 3 wherein theadapter further comprises a second primary receiver adapted to engagethe adapter to an active vehicle floor mat retainer.
 5. The floor mat ofclaim 1 wherein the primary receiver is an active vehicle floor matretainer receiver.
 6. The floor mat of claim 1 wherein the locator is ahole through the mat portion.
 7. The floor mat of claim 6 wherein thefastener comprises separate first and second portions, the first portionhaving a shank passable through the hole and a head incapable of passingthrough the hole, and the second portion is a grommet rigidly engageableto the selected secondary receiver and adapted to capture the shankportion to engage the mat portion to the adapter.
 8. The floor mat ofclaim 1 wherein the locator comprises the fastener.
 9. A floor mat foruse on a vehicle floor and for use with an adapter engaged to a matretainer of the vehicle floor such that the adapter is pivotable about afixed first vertical axis defined by the mat retainer, and the adapteris of the type having a multitude of receivers to enable engagement ofthe mat to the adapter in a multitude of dispositions, the floor matcomprising: a locator disposed inboard on the mat for alignment with aselected one of the receivers to allow variation of a transverse andlongitudinal disposition of the mat relative to the adapter, the locatordefining a second vertical axis parallel to the fixed first verticalaxis; and a plurality of peripheral outlines for guiding trimming of themat into a mat shape, one of the peripheral outlines intended to causethe mat shape to correspond with a floor shape of the vehicle floor;wherein trimming of the mat portion along the one of the peripheraloutlines causes the mat shape to correspond with the floor shape; androtation of the mat about the second vertical axis causes variation of arotational disposition of the mat relative to the adapter.
 10. The floormat of claim 9 wherein the mat further comprises a fastener to securethe mat to the adapter.
 11. The floor mat of claim 10 wherein thefastener secures the mat to the adapter at the locator.
 12. The floormat of claim 11 wherein the locator comprises the fastener.
 13. A floormat system for use on a vehicle floor and adaptable for engagement toone or more of a multitude of vehicle mat retainers of various types andpositions, wherein the system comprises an adapter overlying the vehiclefloor and affixable to one of the one or more of a multitude of vehiclemat retainers, and a mat overlying and affixable to the adapter; andwherein the one of the one or more of a multitude of vehicle matretainers defines a fixed first vertical axis; the adapter comprises aplanar panel having means for engaging the adapter to the one of the oneor more of a multitude of vehicle mat retainers such that the adapter ispivotable along a substantially horizontal plane about the fixed firstvertical axis, and a multitude of receivers each adapted to allowengagement of the mat thereto; the mat comprises a locator disposedinboard on the mat and engagable to and alignable with a selected one ofthe adapter's receivers to enable variation of a transverse andlongitudinal disposition of the mat relative to the vehicle's floor, andthe locator defines a second vertical axis parallel to the fixed firstvertical axis, whereby rotation of the mat along a substantiallyhorizontal plane about the second vertical axis enables variation of arotational disposition of the mat portion relative to the vehicle'sfloor and the mat comprises a plurality of peripheral outlines forguiding trimming of the mat into a mat shape, one of the peripheraloutlines intended to cause the mat shape to correspond with a floorshape of the vehicle floor, whereby trimming of the mat portion alongthe one of the peripheral outlines causes the mat shape to correspondwith the floor shape.
 14. The floor mat of claim 13 wherein the adapterfurther comprises cleats extending downwardly there-from to engage thevehicle's floor and prevent inadvertent movement of the adapter relativethereto.
 15. The floor mat of claim 13 wherein the means for engagingthe adapter to the one of the one or more of a multitude of vehicle matretainers is a receiver for a passive vehicle floor mat retainer. 16.The floor mat of claim 15 wherein the adapter further comprises areceiver for an active vehicle floor mat retainer.
 17. The floor mat ofclaim 13 wherein the means for engaging the adapter to the one of theone or more of a multitude of vehicle mat retainers is a receiver for anactive vehicle floor mat retainer.
 18. The floor mat of claim 13 whereinthe locator is a hole through the mat.
 19. The floor mat of claim 18further comprising a fastener having separate first and second portions,the first portion having a shank passable through the hole and a headincapable of passing through the hole, and the second portion is agrommet rigidly engageable to the selected one of the adapter'sreceivers wherein the grommet may capture the shank portion to engagethe mat to the adapter.
 20. The floor mat of claim 13 wherein thelocator comprises a fastener for securing the mat to the adapter.